Cathay Pacific to launch premium economy product

The airline wants customers of the product feel they really got value for their money.

Cathay Pacific plans to introduce a premium economy product on its fleet in the second quarter of next year.

In a statement in Monday, Chief Executive John Slosar confirmed the launch of the new product and promised passengers that it would be “a real upgrade over economy” and that they would really get a great product for the additional cost.

Mr Slosar said the new product would be introduced on all of Cathay Pacific's long-haul routes, the ultra long-hauls to Europe and North America, and the medium haul down to Australia, in the Middle East and other destinations.

Mr Slosar said the airline's new product will be a lot better than regular economy seats.

“The seat will be more like a regional business class seat. We’ll have great recline and plenty of leg space," he said.

"But it’s not just the seat, we’ll have an improved service as well. The meal service will be improved and little extras will leave anyone who chooses Cathay Pacific’s premium economy feeling they really got value for their money.

"That’s the most important part, I think.”

Mr Slosar said the airline was now convinced that premium economy was becoming a standard product everywhere, according to a Cathay Pacific report.

"And certainly, as a standard product, Cathay Pacific will want to offer it and we’ll want to do a really good job of it. Starting second quarter next year we will offer a premium economy product in our aircraft.”

Mr Slosar added that the new product will be installed on the fleet "at the same time as we install the new Business Class seats." "We’ll be doing all this quite quickly, although it will still take most of 2012 before it is on most of our aircraft,” he said.